Select journalists from around the world recently had the opportunity to drive the hardcore 488 Pista around the Fiorano test track. This onboard video from Car and Driver shows that the latest Ferrari is just as brutal as we expected.

Unlike its predecessor, the 458 Speciale, the 488 Pista doesn’t feature a screaming naturally aspirated V8. Instead, it is powered by a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in character.

After watching the clip below, one thing you’ll immediately notice are the vicious gearshifts. Perhaps looking to add some extra emotion to the car, Ferrari has configured the transmission to provide a healthy ‘thud’ and kick each and every time one of the paddle shifters is pulled.

Key figures provided by the twin-turbo V8 are 711 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. This is enough grunt to launch the Pista to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 2.85 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of over 340 km/h (211 mph).

Compared to the standard 488 GTB, the Pista also benefits from a plethora of aerodynamic modifications that increase downforce by 20 per cent and also make the car look significantly more aggressive.

While purists might lament the demise of the naturally aspirated V8 from Ferrari’s portfolio, leaving just the V12 to hold the NA fort, the truth is that the 488 Pista is just as visceral as you’d expect from a hardcore machine that rolls out of Maranello’s gates.